Bitch Media - The Runawayshttp://bitchmagazine.org/taxonomy/term/3352/0
enJennifer's Body: Is it Feminist? YOU MAKE THE CALL!http://bitchmagazine.org/post/jennifers-body-is-it-feminist-you-make-the-call
<p>The trailer for the newest <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diablo_Cody">Diablo Cody</a> film, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer%27s_Body"><i>Jennifer's Body</i></a> is out, and this thing is begging for a bit o' feminist critique. Watch, and discuss (NSFW, workaholics):</p>
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XJULbZ0ipoo&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XJULbZ0ipoo&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><p>
Hmmm... Does this film appear to be fiercely feminist, or just a sexist wolf masquerading in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Runaways">Runaways</a>-theme-song-female-empowerment-clothing? YOU MAKE THE CALL!</p>
<p>Though on the surface this trailer may appear to be a typical high school horror flick, a closer look reveals much much more. (Especially for feminists! Hooray!) In the interest of simplicity, here is a point/counterpoint list of things that might be of interest:</p>
<p>POINT: IT'S FEMINIST!</p>
<p>- Directed by a woman (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karyn_Kusama">Karyn Kusama</a>)<br />
- Written by a woman (the aforementioned Cody, whose name is heavily featured in the trailer in a way few women writers typically are)<br />
- Main character (the demon-possessed cheerleader played by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1083271/">Megan Fox</a>) appears to be using her evil powers to seek revenge against jerk-y guys<br />
- Name of film comes from a <a href="http://www.metrolyrics.com/jennifers-body-lyrics-hole.html">Hole</a> song ("Jennifer's Body")<br />
- Trailer features grrrltastic songs by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Runaways">The Runaways</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Waitresses">The Waitresses</a><br />
- Looks like there are some pretty funny parts, and feminists like funny stuff (and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Sedaris">Amy Sedaris</a>! And <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Brody">Adam Brody</a>! [Okay Brody might not be a feminist favorite, but he was pretty good on the <i>O.C.</i>])</p>
<p>COUNTERPOINT: NO WAY IS IT FEMINIST!</p>
<p>- Appears to be a vehicle to allow Megan Fox to flash her bod and be <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/11/megan-foxs-topless-scene-cut-from-jennifers-body/">ogled by horndogs</a><br />
- Makes women look like either femme fatale crazy killers (Fox) or uber-nerds (sorry <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanda_Seyfried">Amanda Seyfried</a>, you are really great but the beanie and glasses indicate that your character is supposed to be a dork)<br />
- According to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer%27s_Body">plot synopsis</a>, looks like this might be another attempt by Hollywood to punish women for liking sex by turning them into demons, putting them in insane asylums, and murdering them<br />
- Makes light of bisexuality and promotes faux-lesbianism in order to up the sex appeal (She goes both ways? Puh-leez.)</p>
<div class="TWIIGSPOLL">
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.twiigs.com/poll.js?pid=35134&color=reddark"></script><div class="TWIIGSPOLLpolllink" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: none; border-style: none; clear: none; display: block; float: none; position: static; visibility: visible; height: auto; line-height: normal; width: auto; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; outline-style: none; padding-top: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; clip: auto; overflow: hidden; vertical-align: baseline; z-index: auto; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: right; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0; text-shadow: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: normal;"> <a class="TWIIGSPOLLmorelink" href="http://www.twiigs.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: none; border-style: none; clear: none; display: inline; float: none; position: static; visibility: visible; height: auto; line-height: normal; width: auto; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; outline-style: none; padding-top: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; clip: auto; overflow: hidden; vertical-align: baseline; z-index: auto; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0; text-shadow: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: normal; font-weight: bold;">poll by twiigs.com</a> </div>
</div>
http://bitchmagazine.org/post/jennifers-body-is-it-feminist-you-make-the-call#commentsAdam BrodyAmanda SeyfriedAmy SedarisDiablo CodyfeminismfilmHoleJennifer's BodyMegan FoxNSFWpollsexThe RunawaysThe WaitressestrailersDigiBitchTue, 07 Jul 2009 19:49:14 +0000Kelsey Wallace1846 at http://bitchmagazine.org<i>Cherry Bomb</i> is going to explode, and I don't mean in a good wayhttp://bitchmagazine.org/post/icherry-bombi-is-going-to-explode-and-i-dont-mean-in-a-good-way
<p><img src="http://rebelgrrrl.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/the-runaways.jpg" height="237" width="300" alt="runaways" /> </p>
<p>So, Hollywood is finally making a movie about The Runaways. Shit yes, right? Well, no, actually, because cast as Joan Jett is Kristen Stewart, who played Bella in some tiny production-or-other, <i>Twilight</i>. To make matters worse, Cherie Currie will be played by...wait for it...Dakota Fanning. Um. Okay. This week, it was announced that Alessandra Torresani (who?) has signed on as Lita Ford. And all I can think is, these must be some lost little girls (pun intended) because Torresani had to literally research the band to become familiar with them. Am I just being cynical, expecting that this project will not do The Runaways their deserved justice? Or can today's hottest teen stars actually pull it off? </p>
<p>Honestly, I'm skeptical. For one thing, Stewart is not exactly deep, per se, as an actress. In fact, in our latest <i>Bitch</i> Popaganda <a href="http://bitchmagazine.org/post/bitch-popaganda-new-moon-risin-edition" rel="nofollow">episode</a> we chat about said actress and even refer to her acting chops as "wooden". My pick to play Joan Jett: Lizzy Caplan of <i>Mean Girls</i> and "True Blood" fame. That lady is funny, believable as a hardass and she looks good in black hair and smeared eyeliner. </p>
<p>And while Fanning is an honored and talented actress, can she really take on Cherie Currie? This is a woman who fronted a punk band at age 16 and was known for wearing lingerie on stage. Fanning is great in heartwarming and dramatic roles, but I'm skeptical of her ability to truly slay as punk's reigning queen. Did they tell her this role will involve at least one garter belt? I'd have more faith in someone like Hayden Panettiere or Scarlett Johansson. </p>
<p>The Runaways were the most influential all-female punk band ever. Somehow, this casting doesn't seem to add up. Also confusing is that Joan Jett herself is an Executive Producer, perhaps just there to ensure the integrity of the film and to make sure the true story translates correctly. If that is the case, though, one would hope she would squelch any bad casting moves. I still don't have much faith in this project. What do you think? Who would you rather see play The Runaways? Is it too early to tell, or will this (sorry, it was too easy) cherry bomb?</p>
http://bitchmagazine.org/post/icherry-bombi-is-going-to-explode-and-i-dont-mean-in-a-good-way#commentsAlessandra TorresaniCherie CurrieCherry BombDakota FanningJoan JettKristen StewartLita FordThe RunawaysMusicFri, 12 Jun 2009 05:32:45 +0000Ashley Brittner1754 at http://bitchmagazine.org